Footballers draw with Britain

PARALYMPICS NEWS ROUND-UPIT WAS billed as an old-school grudge match, and players were convinced the clash between ancient rivals would yield a rich harvest of goals here, but in the end a 1-1 draw with Britain was probably a fair outcome for the Irish seven-a-side football team.

A number of yesterday's events were held outdoors and Beijing's autumnal heat, while less searing than it gets in August, still pushed the mercury above 30 degrees, and it weighed on some of Team Ireland's performances.

At least with Ireland facing Britain no one was going to say the other side had an unfair advantage because of the weather. The first half at the Olympic hockey field produced some fine, free-flowing football, but yielded no goals until six minutes into the second half, when Monaghan's Joe Markey scored with a strong, left-footed drive. Just six minutes later, England were level following a goal from Michael Barker.

While the team, coached by Paul Cassin, had been confident of a win, the draw means Ireland finished third in their pool, ahead of Britain.

Before the match, the team held up the jersey of the absent Derek Malone, the former Paralympian gold medallist who was disqualified from taking part.

"We went out there with a lot of self-belief, a lot of determination," said captain Aidan Brennan. "All day, to be honest, the mood in the camp was brilliant - we were really looking forward to this game.

"We're delighted with the result which basically means we're in third place."

The result should also boost Ireland's standings in the international rankings, and they now face China in their classification match tomorrow. Ireland beat China 5-0 in a pre-tournament friendly, but as Irish Paralympic Council spokesman John Fulham points out, they will be playing in front of a home crowd.

"But there is a great team spirit and the team has shown remarkable resolve," Fulham said.

In the swimming, Hannah Campbell from Co Down took 10 seconds off her personal best in finishing fifth in her heat of the 100 metres breaststroke (SB5 Class). She missed out on a place in the final by .04 of a second.

Also at the Water Cube was Stephen Campbell, who came sixth in his heat of the 100 freestyle in 1.08.08, not far off his personal best.

In archery, Seán Heary from Navan was beaten 113 to 99 by Philippe Horner of Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Given he started ranked in 20th place, the Paralympics have been a great experience for him and his world ranking should improve.

The temperature took its toll on the athletes in the cycling, which was run against the staggering backdrop of the Ming Tombs Reservoir.

Cathal Miller was ninth in the individual time trial-LC 1 category, with a time of 36.33.95.

"Conditions are brutal . . . effort was good. Basically my splits were identical. I cycled as well as I could and basically I was just beaten by better riders on the day; I've no complaints really," said Miller.

Enda Smyth finished ninth in the CP 4 final and described the conditions as "criminal".

The afternoon saw both Irish tandem bikes in action in their time trials. Catherine Walsh with sighted pilot rider Joanna Hickey (BVI Class) took seventh in 40.09.67, while Michael Delaney with pilot David Peelo finished 18th in in 36.26.54.

At the sailing in Qingdao, Paul McCarthy, Paul Ryan and Richard Whealey in the Sonar class placed third in race seven. They followed this with a fourth and 10th in races eight and nine and now lie in an improved ninth overall.

In the Skud 18 class, Amy Kelehan and John Twomey placed 10th and ninth in race seven and eight and remain in 10th overall.

The big buzz about today's events is reigning world record holder Jason Smyth going in the heats of the T13 100 metres ahead of this evening's final.